Dolcetto is often celebrated for its charm and approachability, but at its best, the grape delivers far more than simple fruit. At the 2025 San Francisco International Wine Competition, Maryhill Winery’s 2023 Vineyard Series Dolcetto earned the title of Best Dolcetto, proving that this varietal can offer both vibrancy and impressive depth. With this award, Maryhill Winery continues to demonstrate its versatility across a range of varietals, translating them into polished, expressive New World interpretations.

Maryhill’s Vineyard Series focuses on showcasing individual varietals with clarity and precision. The 2023 Dolcetto exemplifies that philosophy, presenting a wine that is immediately inviting yet layered with complexity.

In the glass, the wine reveals a light-medium ruby hue. Aromatically, it bursts with bright, ripe fruit, drawing the judges in with energy and lift. On the palate, the fruit remains vivid and expressive, supported by a structure that gives the wine length and staying power.

Judges were particularly impressed by the wine’s balance between approachability and dimension. That combination of brightness and depth sets this Dolcetto apart. While the varietal is known for its fruit-forward nature, this bottling adds nuance and structure, creating a wine that evolves in the glass and lingers on the finish.

Dolcetto thrives when crafted with attention to freshness and balance. Maryhill’s 2023 Vineyard Series Dolcetto captures the grape’s signature vibrancy while adding a layer of polish and complexity that resonated strongly with the judging panel. The result is a wine that is versatile at the table and compelling on its own — equally suited to casual enjoyment or thoughtful pairing. By delivering both lively fruit and structural depth, this award-winning Dolcetto highlights the continued growth and sophistication of the category.

At the 2025 competition, Maryhill Winery once again proved that even lesser-seen varietals can shine brightly when handled with care, precision, and a clear sense of style.